05-08-2023 City Council Work Session MinutesCHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
MAY 8, 2023
Mayor Ryan called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilman McDonald, Councilwoman
Schubert, Councilman von Oven, and Councilman Kimber.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Laurie Hokkanen, City Manager; Matt Unmacht, Assistant City Manager;
Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Eric Maass, Planning Director; Jerry
Ruegemer, Park & Recreation Director; Ari Lyksett, Communications Manager; and Kim
Meuwissen, City Clerk.
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Bryan Harjes, HKGi
DISCUSS CITY COUNCIL PROTOCOLS
Mayor Ryan reviewed City Council protocols and best practices for both the work session and
regular meetings. Work sessions are more casual, and a give-and-take format is acceptable.
During regular meetings, staff and council need to direct specific comments or questions to the
Mayor and wait for them to be acknowledged.
Guidelines for Visitor Presentations were reviewed with suggested updates, including allotting a
total of thirty minutes for Visitor’s Presentations and giving priority to Chanhassen residents. An
additional thirty minutes may be provided after General Business items are complete at the
discretion of the City Council.
FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION ON CIVIC CAMPUS
City Manager Laurie Hokkanen introduced the nature and purpose of this two-part discussion.
Ms. Hokkanen reviewed the Civic Campus architect interviews with BKV, Snow Kreilich, and
HGA (HGA was eliminated as an option). Ms. Hokkanen reviewed BKV and Snow Kreilich’s
responses provided in their supplemental documents, which included references for the project
manager as well as the firm, project schedule, time allocation, and fee structure. They were also
asked to provide information on their approach to AV and Tech within the building. Ms.
Hokkanen stated that staff would be comfortable working with either firm.
Following discussion, Council favored the architectural firm BKV. Staff will work on moving
forward with preparing the contract with BKV and scheduling council approval.
City Council Work Session Minutes – May 8, 2023
2
Bryan Harjes of HKGi presented the concept plan, reviewed the community engagement results,
and provided a comparison of the proposed facilities/park space with the existing facilities/park
space in other communities.
The council discussed the community engagement results and the facilities/park space
comparisons. Staff was asked to move forward with establishing the project schedule and the
council’s involvement in each step.
DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION
Planning Director Eric Maass presented information on downtown redevelopment, including
items from the 2018 Downtown Vision Plan as well as the Council’s Strategic Plan. The 2018
Downtown Vision Plan included defining a pedestrian network and mixing uses in new
developments. Mr. Maass reviewed the downtown land use and subdistricts as well as
opportunities for site redevelopment and reinvestment. He reviewed the current redevelopment
of The Venue/Aldi’s project and how tax increment financing (TIF) was used for this project.
Mr. Maass discussed the redevelopment of the Chanhassen Cinema site including mixed-use
development, acquiring adjacent parcels, potential redevelopment of High Timber
Lounge/Country Inn & Suites, and remedying the large gap in the pedestrian network on West
78th Street. Downtown design guidelines need updating and the timing is important due to the
Cinema closure and the potential of a redevelopment proposal being submitted. Mr. Maass
outlined the next steps in moving forward with the redevelopment of this site.
Mayor Ryan recessed the Work Session at 6:57 p.m.
Mayor Ryan resumed the Work Session at 8:30 p.m.
DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION (continued)
Mr. Maass then asked Council questions about prioritizing pedestrian connectivity downtown,
pursuing redevelopment opportunities for mixed uses first, and whether staff should pursue the
Cinema/High Timber Lounge/Country Inn & Suites redevelopment if TIF assistance is required.
The council discussed all of these issues at length. Staff was directed to move forward with the
Cinema/High Timber Lounge/Country Inn & Suites redevelopment if presented.
FUTURE WORK SESSION SCHEDULE
May 22, 2023
• Sketch Plan Review: Santa Vera PUD Phase II
• Discuss THC and Adult-Use Cannabis Legislation
June 5, 2023 (moved from June 12)
• Presentation of Audit Results, Redpath
June 26, 2023
• 2024 Preliminary Budget and Levy Discussion
• City Council Roundtable
July 10, 2023
• Organizational Study/Staffing Study Presentation, Raftelis
City Council Work Session Minutes – May 8, 2023
3
The work session adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Submitted by Laurie Hokkanen
City Manager
Prepared by Kim Meuwissen
City Clerk